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Trump says Cambodia and Thailand agree to ‘immediate’ ceasefire talks Cambodia and Thailand continue fighting despite Trump claim of ‘immediate’ ceasefire talks
(about 11 hours later)
US president warns he will not negotiate trade deal with either side until clashes, which have killed at least 23, stop Both sides launch fresh attacks but Thai and Cambodian leaders said to be meeting in Malaysia on Monday for talks
Thailand and Cambodia agreed to “immediately meet” to work out a ceasefire, Donald Trump claimed after speaking to the leaders of both countries as he sought an end to continuing clashes. Thai and Cambodian leaders will meet in Malaysia on Monday for talks to end hostilities, a spokesperson for the Thai prime minister’s office said, after pressure from the US president, Donald Trump, to end a deadly border dispute, now in its fourth day.
Jirayu Huangsap said the acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, would attend Monday’s talks in response to an invitation from the Malaysian prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, “to discuss peace efforts in the region”.
The spokesperson said Phumtham’s Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet, would also attend the talks, though this was not immediately confirmed by the Cambodian side.
More than 150,000 people have been displaced by the clashes, which are the bloodiest between the neighbouring countries in more than a decade, and have claimed at least 10 lives in Thailand and 13 in Cambodia.More than 150,000 people have been displaced by the clashes, which are the bloodiest between the neighbouring countries in more than a decade, and have claimed at least 10 lives in Thailand and 13 in Cambodia.
In social media posts, Trump said: “Both parties are looking for an immediate ceasefire and peace”, adding he would not negotiate a trade deal with either side until the fighting stopped.In social media posts, Trump said: “Both parties are looking for an immediate ceasefire and peace”, adding he would not negotiate a trade deal with either side until the fighting stopped.
Developments on Sunday threw into doubt Trump’s claims of an immediate push for a ceasefire. The Thai army said Cambodian soldiers opened fire starting in the early morning at a temple, a checkpoint and civilian residences. An army statement said it “necessitated Thai military retaliation to protect Thai citizens and territory, employing long-range artillery to target Cambodian artillery and rocket launchers”.Developments on Sunday threw into doubt Trump’s claims of an immediate push for a ceasefire. The Thai army said Cambodian soldiers opened fire starting in the early morning at a temple, a checkpoint and civilian residences. An army statement said it “necessitated Thai military retaliation to protect Thai citizens and territory, employing long-range artillery to target Cambodian artillery and rocket launchers”.
“Regarding the matter of United States president Donald Trump’s telephone mediation last night, this is a separate issue. Military forces on the battlefield continue to operate according to military tactics. As for whether there will be a ceasefire, Thailand confirms that a ceasefire will occur only when Cambodia takes the initiative to approach us for negotiations.
Cambodia countered that Thailand was the first to attack in the early hours of Sunday morning. “These deliberate and coordinated acts of aggression occurred despite ongoing efforts led by President Donald Trump to broker a ceasefire,” said Cambodia’s defence ministry, adding that Trump’s efforts were “publicly and unequivocally supported” by Cambodia’s prime minister.Cambodia countered that Thailand was the first to attack in the early hours of Sunday morning. “These deliberate and coordinated acts of aggression occurred despite ongoing efforts led by President Donald Trump to broker a ceasefire,” said Cambodia’s defence ministry, adding that Trump’s efforts were “publicly and unequivocally supported” by Cambodia’s prime minister.
Clashes earlier spread along the border on Saturday, breaking out for the first time in the Thai coastal province of Trat and Cambodia’s Pursat province, more than 100km (60 miles) from other conflict areas along the contested border. Clashes spread along the border on Saturday, breaking out for the first time in the Thai coastal province of Trat and Cambodia’s Pursat province, more than 60 miles (100km) from other conflict areas along the contested border.
International calls for a ceasefire have been growing since a long-running border dispute between the two countries erupted into intense fighting on Thursday, with heavy artillery and airstrikes. The UN secretary general called for the “utmost restraint”, while Malaysia, which chairs the regional bloc that includes both countries, urged both sides to stand down and offered to mediate. China has also expressed concern over the developments.International calls for a ceasefire have been growing since a long-running border dispute between the two countries erupted into intense fighting on Thursday, with heavy artillery and airstrikes. The UN secretary general called for the “utmost restraint”, while Malaysia, which chairs the regional bloc that includes both countries, urged both sides to stand down and offered to mediate. China has also expressed concern over the developments.
Cambodia’s UN ambassador Chhea Keo said on Friday that Cambodia asked for an “immediate ceasefire – unconditionally”, following an emergency meeting held behind closed doors late on Friday in New York. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Thailand’s envoy to the UN urged Cambodia to “immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith”. Cambodia’s UN ambassador, Chhea Keo, said on Friday Cambodia had asked for an “immediate ceasefire – unconditionally”, after an emergency meeting held behind closed doors late in New York. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Thailand’s envoy to the UN, urged Cambodia to “immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith”.
On Saturday morning, the Cambodian ministry of national defence accused Thailand of firing five heavy artillery shells into multiple locations in Pursat province, on the southern side of their shared border, saying it condemned such “unprovoked and premeditated act of aggression”.On Saturday morning, the Cambodian ministry of national defence accused Thailand of firing five heavy artillery shells into multiple locations in Pursat province, on the southern side of their shared border, saying it condemned such “unprovoked and premeditated act of aggression”.
Thailand accused Cambodia of initiating an attack in neighbouring Trat province, and said that Thai naval forces had successfully pushed back “the incursion” by 5.40am. Thailand accused Cambodia of initiating an attack in neighbouring Trat province, and said Thai naval forces had successfully pushed back “the incursion” by 5.40am.
Cambodia and Thailand’s border dispute dates back more than a century to disagreements over colonial-era maps. Tensions have been running high since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a brief exchange of fire, but escalated further this week when Thai solders were injured by landmines, which Thai officials claimed had been freshly planted – an allegation Cambodia has denied.Cambodia and Thailand’s border dispute dates back more than a century to disagreements over colonial-era maps. Tensions have been running high since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a brief exchange of fire, but escalated further this week when Thai solders were injured by landmines, which Thai officials claimed had been freshly planted – an allegation Cambodia has denied.
Thailand responded by recalling its ambassador to Cambodia, and saying it would expel Cambodia’s envoy in Bangkok, and, on Thursday morning fighting erupted at multiple points along the border. Both sides blamed each other for opening fire first, and have accused the other side of violating international norms. Thailand responded by recalling its ambassador to Cambodia, and saying it would expel Cambodia’s envoy in Bangkok, and, on Thursday morning fighting erupted at multiple points along the border. Both sides blamed each other for opening fire first and have accused the other side of violating international norms.
In Thailand 20 people have been killed, including 13 civilians and seven soldiers, while 29 soldiers and 30 civilians were wounded. In Cambodia, officials reported 12 further deaths, five soldiers and eight civilians, bringing its death toll to 13. In Thailand, 20 people have been killed, including 13 civilians and seven soldiers, while 29 soldiers and 30 civilians were wounded. In Cambodia, officials reported a further 12 deaths bringing its death toll to 13, five soldiers and eight civilians.
More than 138,000 people have been evacuated from Thailand’s border regions, its health ministry said, with families sheltering at temples, schools and municipality centres. Cambodian authorities said more than 23,000 people have evacuated from areas near the border. More than 138,000 people have been evacuated from Thailand’s border regions, its health ministry said, with families sheltering at temples, schools and municipality centres. Cambodian authorities said more than 23,000 people had evacuated from areas near the border.
Earlier, acting Thai prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai had warned that if the situation escalated, “it could develop into war”. Earlier, Wechayachai had warned that if the situation escalated, “it could develop into war”.
“For now, it remains limited to clashes,” he told reporters in Bangkok, adding that Thailand was taking action to “protect our land and the sovereignty of our nation.” “For now, it remains limited to clashes,” he told reporters in Bangkok, adding that Thailand was taking action to “protect our land and the sovereignty of our nation”.
Both countries have traded blame over the clashes. Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station hit by at least one rocket. Cambodia has accused Thailand of using cluster munitions. Both countries have blamed the other over the clashes. Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital struck by shells and a petrol station hit by at least one rocket. Cambodia has accused Thailand of using cluster munitions.
Dozens of kilometres in several areas of the 800km border are contested. Fighting previously broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced. Dozens of kilometres in several areas of the 800km border are contested. Fighting broke out previously between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced.
The latest dispute has been exacerbated by a feud that has broken out between the fathers of the prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand. Hun Sen, an authoritarian ruler who handed power to his son, Hun Manet, in 2023, and Thailand’s former populist leader Thaksin Shinawatra, whose daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra became prime minister in 2024, both remain highly influential in their countries. They were once considered close friends but are now embroiled in a bitter dispute, trading insults, threats and counter-claims on social media. The latest dispute has been exacerbated by a feud that has broken out between the fathers of the prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand. Hun Sen, an authoritarian ruler who handed power to his son, Hun Manet, in 2023, and Thailand’s former populist leader Thaksin Shinawatra, whose daughter Paetongtarn became prime minister in 2024, remain highly influential in their countries. They were once considered close friends but are now embroiled in a bitter dispute, trading insults, counter-claims and threats on social media.
Thaksin visited Ubon Ratchathani, in northeastern Thailand, on Saturday morning, and denied the families’ feud was the cause of the clashes, according to local media reports. He condemned Cambodia’s actions as “appalling” and said attacks from the Thai side followed strict protocols and were targeted at military sites.